Earth Charter and sustainability actions in Mexico

The Earth Charter Network in Mexico continues to be very active, promoting endorsements and the use of this declaration at different levels, from Local Governments to private companies. Here are some highlights of this year:

STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ENDORSEMENTS

The Congress of Oaxaca State formally endorsed the Earth Charter on 5 June, during the Environment Day celebration. One of the sponsors of this endorsement, Deputy Paola Gutiérrez Galindo, mentioned the importance of this endorsement to work harder on ecological protection, eradication of poverty, equitable economic development, respect for human rights, democracy and peace in the State of Oaxaca. Find more information in this news article.

Inspired by the endorsement done by the State Government, the Municipality of Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca also endorsed the Earth Charter in July. Find in this article more information about this city endorsement

We thank this Municipality for having created a nice video to share with the public the meaning of this endorsement:

In Morelia, the capital city of Michoacan, the municipal authorities ratified the commitment to the city’s sustainable development by signing the Earth Charter in a ceremony in the City Hall, in the framework of the environment day celebration (5th June). Mateo Castillo Ceja, member of the Earth Charter International Council, emphasized that the Earth Charter contains a series of guidelines that every public servant should adopt, as it favors the development of public policies that balance urban development with their surrounding environment.

This act strengthens these efforts as the Congress of the State of Michoacán de Ocampo approved a Legislative Decree Number 292 on the Reform of the Environmental Law for Sustainable Development of the State of Michoacán de Ocampo, which adds article 18 BIS where the Earth Charter is considered as part of the Global Ethical Framework for decision making.

On 19 June, the International and Sustainable Bilingual Universities of Mexico signed the Earth Charter endorsement in a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Technological University of the Mexico Valley Metropolitan Area. This is a group of 22 universities, including Technological and Polytechnic Universities.

In addition, the Technological Institute of Morelia (ITM) endorsed the Earth Charter and the Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development on 24 May, confirming its intention to use the Charter in the most appropriate way according to its context.

With this endorsement, ITM acquires the responsibility of working with top managers and all members of this education community in the implementation of the Charter’s principles.More information on this article.

CIVIL SOCIETY ENDORSEMENTS

Many different civil society organizations or education institutions such as schools and high schools have endorsed the Earth Charter in Mexico. Here, we highlight two institutions who communicated with the Earth Charter International Secretariat their intention to endorse and use the Earth Charter in their work.

In Puebla, the organization “We are Nations” (Asociación Civil Somos Naciones) and Deca Nasser Civil Society Organization, endorsed the Earth Charter in a ceremony held on 25 April at the Paraninfo Hall of the Autonomous University of Puebla. These organizations work with refugees and migrants, supporting them in their transition to the new places where they will be established. Approximately 148 participants attended this ceremony, from Japan, Lebanon, France, Spain, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru and Brazil. In addition, the consuls of Japan, Armando Ono Nakamura and France, Dr. Ofelia Cervantes Villagómez participated. This endorsement was organized by the Earth Charter network focal point in Puebla, Mr. Ignacio Rojas.

In Zacatecas, the Rotary Club Guadalupe signed the endorsement of the Earth Charter through its president 2016-2017, Eng. Gustavo Dávila del Real, accompanied by members of the Club and some personalities including the soprano singer Sheila López, the professor Pedro Rodríguez, the Mayor Enrique Flores Mendoza. Ms. Sandra Mendoza, Earth Charter focal point in Zacatecas, organized this endorsement.

PUBLICATIONS

The Earth Charter in Yaqui: The Cajeme Technological Institute (ITESCA) in Mexico, made it possible to have the Earth Charter translated into Yaqui, an indigenous language from Sonora, Northern Mexico. The Yaquis are a small indigenous group, around 32,000 people, that live along the Yaqui River.

We deeply appreciate the efforts done by Dr. Martin Villa Ibarra, focal point of the Earth Charter Mexican network in Sonora, for his motivation and hard work with ITESCA staff to make this translation possible. Find this translation here.

Pet Star Company endorsed the Earth Charter some years ago, and several staff members received training to learn more in depth how to use it. Recently, they published their first Sustainability Report 2016, for which they used the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) – in its version G4- guidelines, the Earth Charter, The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and The Global Compact Principles.

This Report corresponds to the actions carried out in 2016 and collects the results of the company’s social, economic and environmental performance.

A new publication called “The Implementation of Agenda 21 in Mexico: Critical Contributions to Sustainability” edited by the José María Luis Mora Research Institute is available in digital form. This book contains a chapter written by Lorena San Román that refers to the Earth Charter.

“At a time of renewed energy in the global narrative of sustainability, thanks to the political and media push of Rio + 20 summit in 2012 and the United Nations Organization’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); it is worth asking what is the importance and lessons learned of the implementation of the main sustainability planning instruments, such as Agenda 21 (A21).”

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